How to look at China's opposition to Fukushima treated water?

Changsoo JIN

Director of Center for Japanese Studies

jincs@sejong.org

Sejong Institute

     China's strong criticism toward the treated water issue is difficult to think of only with China's public opinion. The Chinese government's refusal to even recognize the results of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) inspection cannot help but doubt its political intentions. Considering the history of Sino-Japan relations over the past 30 years, China's hard-line attitude toward Japan was sometimes based on domestic politics. The conflict between China and Japan should not be regarded only as a bilateral issue. In the international relationship of a complex crisis in which complex interdependence and competition coexist, all matters are interconnected. In addition, conflicts in Sino-Japan relations over treated water can affect Korea-Japan relations and Korea-U.S.-Japan relations at any time. It must be noted that the treated water issue can affect the international political dynamics beyond the problem of emotions. Therefore, Korea should conduct a comprehensive and rational discussion on treated water based on science and international standards.